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Bonamassa Signature Firebird I?

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
I dont recall the "tummy cut" on my FBIII. It was a bone fide '63, that I ended up selling after 20+ years of ownership..for bone fide dough. Old brain, I guess.

The Epi FB I is a hell of a guitar. I'm very happy with it!

It is a small cut. For small bellies maybe??? I am very happy with mine too. They are very well made.


I thought all firebird neck/body center through sections were laminated. The early ones had les number of laminations IIRC than later but still laminated or multi piece.
 

Dan Silverman

New member
Joined
Jun 20, 2011
Messages
394
Merry Christmas Big Al! The very early 63's did not have laminates. It didn't take Gibson long to realize that laminates were cheaper and, I guess, more sturdy than non-laminated. 76 Bi. Firebirds were also built without laminates and I think maybe one other model.
 

reidmalips

Member
Joined
May 31, 2002
Messages
45
Dan, Merry Christmas...and THANK YOU! If it wasnt for your generosity, we wouldnt have these JB approved 'Birds to play with! I'm having a ball with mine! I just need to replace or age the very shiny hardware.

It looks great, feels fantastic and sounds awesome! Thanks again, sir!


Where the hell is Skamokawa??
 

Dan Silverman

New member
Joined
Jun 20, 2011
Messages
394
You are very welcome and MERRY CHRISTMAS to you also!
Skamokawa is in S.W. Washington, half way between Longview and Longbeach, on the banks of the Columbia. I'm really happy that everyone, so far, is happy with their new "Birds. The BIG thank you goes to JBLP for doing this!!!!
 

Dan Silverman

New member
Joined
Jun 20, 2011
Messages
394
Stevie, my guess would be cost. You would to need some really nice mahogany slabs to make an original Firebird.
Also, I think that the Epi. is more of a "tribute" to Treasure. Either way, the Epi. Firebird is a great guitar! $799, you gotta be kidding me!!!
God, I sound like such a salesman!
 

TM1

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Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Dan; Nice! The reason that Gibson went to the 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut lam's is that it strengthens the neck. Every other lamination has the grain running 180 degrees the opposite of the previous one. Makes for a strong board! Cuts way down on the amount of Rejects.. If they did a real replica of Treasure, you'd have to find some really strong, well aged Mahogany. I think the Mahogany that Epiphone is using is actually an Eastern Pacific type called "Nato".
I know where Skamokawa is! My daughter lives in Vancouver (near Portland) and works at the Washington State Transportation Dept.. she's the one that puts the messages up on the lighted Highway signs and and tells the crews which highway gets salted or graveled for the snowfall. She and my son grew up in Longview and Toutle.. I was up there in mid-August and visited Doug & Pat in Portland.
Thankas for "loaning" Joe the Firebird and I'm happy you approve of the version that Epiphone did!!:):)
 

Stevie C.

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2011
Messages
126
Stevie, my guess would be cost. You would to need some really nice mahogany slabs to make an original Firebird.
Also, I think that the Epi. is more of a "tribute" to Treasure. Either way, the Epi. Firebird is a great guitar! $799, you gotta be kidding me!!!
God, I sound like such a salesman!

Thanks Dan, I can't wait for mine to arrive from Sweetwater. Wish I had ordered it from Joe's site!
 

TM1

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Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
thanks for the link ..I didn't know Kluson made those

Yeah, they do and they're made better, more precise than the ones from the Sixties. WD Music Products owns Kluson and they do a great job of building them!
 

58Lover

Active member
Joined
Oct 27, 2001
Messages
4,133
Ive owned several Birds including my current other Firebird which is 76 2 pc center body section and Im happy to report I am totally happy with my new JB Firebird 1. I checked Epiphone site and the specs definitely say mahogany. Mine is mahogany. not the cheap multi pc bodies you would find on an Epiphone LP. Fit and finish is on par with Gibsons USA made Firebirds Ive owned and sold. Not Gibson Custom shop quality but what you would see on a regular USA made Firebird. matter of fact the only thing I don't care for is the color of the back of body and neck is very similar if not identical to some current US models Ive had. I wish the back would have been a little darker but it is what it is. Is this as good as a 3 to 4 thousand dollar Custom shop Firebird 1 ? probably not. Is it going to be worth boo coo bucks down the road ? very doubtful. What I do know is I've always wanted a Firebird 1 and this got my blue coller self into one for under a grand. I wouldn't mind getting another to be truthful. I lowered the action and tuned it up and it rings like a bell. I was hoping I got a good one and so far it seems I did. The board is very nice on mine and frets were polished and no sharp edges like you would find on other import guitars. Thing is a set of banjo style Klusons are over 100 bucks these days so I think overall its a very good deal. I may decide to have it refinished one day in vintage style nitro with a dark back but until then I'm going to play the thing. My current favorite this week. For what its worth I would probably never buy a import Epi LP simply because the body shape and especially the cutaway is wrong not too mention the multi piece bodies but Gibson USA are building SGs and LPs with cnc routed 2 pc bodies these days so...

What # is your '72?
 

garywright

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2002
Messages
15,582
Yeah, they do and they're made better, more precise than the ones from the Sixties. WD Music Products owns Kluson and they do a great job of building them!

Hey Don ...thanks, but I was referring to the plastic replacement tips Robin mentioned for banjo tuners ..I didn't know that those existed as a replacements for the standard metal tips ...do they really weigh that much less to prevent neck dive ?
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Hey Don ...thanks, but I was referring to the plastic replacement tips Robin mentioned for banjo tuners ..I didn't know that those existed as a replacements for the standard metal tips ...do they really weigh that much less to prevent neck dive ?

No problem Gary!! thanks!
 

Robin B

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2003
Messages
111
Hey Don ...thanks, but I was referring to the plastic replacement tips Robin mentioned for banjo tuners ..I didn't know that those existed as a replacements for the standard metal tips ...do they really weigh that much less to prevent neck dive ?

Yes Gary they really do weigh that much less .The neck dive on my Bird wasn't too bad not like my 91 .I actually bought the buttons for my old bird but when I got the Epi bird I figured I try them on it as it had a little tendency to neck dive so I put them on it no more dive.By the way I just went and ordered another in sunburst
.
 

TM1

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Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
I'll have to order a couple of sets of those. I have a 2003 FB VII. Oddly enough I installed a a set of the Steinberger tuners on it and didn't like them. I ordered a set of the newer(within the last 18 months) FB Tuners and love them, but would like a little less weight. I don't have any neck-dive issues with it, but they looks nice.
 

Big Al

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Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
I can't find where the buttons alone are. They list the push on buttons for the guitar keys but do not offer any plastic keystone buttons that are screw on like the Kluson Bass Banjo Tuners. Do you have to make a special inquiry or am I missing the link?
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Al; Look on the Kluson page and select Vintage Diecast machines:
[h=1]KLUSON® FIREBIRD/BANJO WHITE PLASTIC KEYSTONE BUTTON W/SCREW AND WASHER (SET 6)[/h] SKU: KFBKBP
Kluson reissue keystone buttons used on current Firebird, banjo, and bass tuners. Set of 6 comes complete with screws and washers.

Please note that these buttons and screws DO NOT FIT Kluson original production banjo / Firebird tuners. We have increased the screw size and changed the button shaft dimensions as an improvement on the original design of the tuning machine.


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